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Porsche is said to be mulling focusing production of the next Panamera at its plant in Leipzig, Germany, in a move that could cost 800 jobs at parent Volkswagen.

Porsche is said to be mulling focusing production of the next Panamera at its plant in Leipzig, Germany, in a move that could cost 800 jobs at parent Volkswagen.

Porsche is said to be mulling focusing production of the next Panamera at its plant in Leipzig, Germany, in a move that could cost 800 jobs at parent Volkswagen.

Johnson Controls Power Solutions has expanded its Zwickau, Germany, AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery plant with a 100 million euro investment, making it the world's largest production facility for AGM batteries. This technology is used mainly for Start-Stop vehicles.

Magna International Inc. has announced that its Magna Seating operating unit has opened a new seat component manufacturing facility in Odzaci, Serbia, which will supply OEM customers including Smart, Renault and Ford.

The UK's telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, has published plans for a major trial that will test wireless transmitting technology to and from vehicles on a public road in Britain.

Audi plans to join Europe's booming subcompact SUV/crossover segment with a new model called the Q1, a report said.

From GMM

Nico Rosberg has admitted he took objection in Singapore when world champion Sebastian Vettel suggested his rivals are lazy.

After dominating the floodlit grand prix, German Vettel explained Red Bull's advantage by insisting that while his team works "very hard", the others are "hanging their balls in the pool very early on Fridays".

It may have been a joke, but Mercedes' Rosberg did not laugh.

"Maybe he shouldn't be thinking about my balls," he is quoted on Thursday by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"It was definitely inappropriate," added Nico Rosberg. "My team works its ass off. And he can't possibly know how much we work compared to them. My boys work like crazy."

Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

And as F1 figures puzzle over why Vettel is being booed on post-race podiums, Rosberg said comments like the one made in Singapore do him no favours.

"He is in very clear danger of losing the respect of the other drivers," he said.

McLaren's Jenson Button agrees: "It was a wrong and unfair thing for Sebastian to say."

But Sebastian Vettel said he found it "strange" that his comment was so controversial.

"It was not my intention to say anything against someone else," he said, "but only to show that our success is no accident."

From GMM

Red Bull is perfecting a "system" that is mimicking the effects of banned traction control, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported on Thursday.

The magazine said the complex electronic mapping system, although entirely legal, is able to put Renault's V8 engine down to just four-cylinders under certain circumstances.

"I am sure for the races to come that we will be able to enhance the system even further -- to profit even more," world champion Sebastian Vettel told F1's official website.

He told reporters: "Other people will never figure out how we've done it."

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on Thursday stirred the pot by admitting Vettel's traction in Singapore was not normal.

"The last time I was able to put the pedal down that quick was back in 2007 or 2008, when we had traction control," he said.

Red Bull RB9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

But Ferrari's Fernando Alonso admitted Red Bull, whose engine he said has been emitting the odd tones in corners all season long, is doing nothing wrong.

"They are using something different compared to the other teams but something that is completely ok," he is quoted by the BBC.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner, however, admitted the rumours were frustrating.

"So we're running traction control through the ECUs which are supplied by McLaren and approved by the FIA?" he bristled at reporters.

"You'd have to be pretty stupid," added Horner.

From press release

Sébastien Ogier has secured the 2013 FIA WRC drivers' title after Dani Sordo went fastest through tonight's opening stage of Rallye de France - Alsace. 

The 4.55km test through the streets of Strasbourg was always likely to prove decisive because as the nominated Power Stage it offered three bonus points to the winner.  

Thierry Neuville, the only man with a chance of catching Ogier's championship lead, needed all three points to stay in the fight. So when his time was confirmed as 0.7sec slower than Sordo's, Ogier was home and dry, no matter what happens on this or the two rallies that remain this year. 

“I'm so happy!” said a delighted Ogier at the finish control. “Before the stage I was a bit confused about whether it would happen, but we're here and we managed to do it!” 

“Eight years we've worked for this!” added his co-driver Julien Ingrassia.

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, 2013 WRC world champions. (Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport)

The pair climbed onto the roof of their Polo R in celebration, cheered on by crowds of fans and Volkswagen management including rally team boss Jost Capito. Outgoing world champion Sebastien Loeb, who followed Ogier through the stage, was quick to offer his own congratulations. 

Citroen DS3 WRC driver Sordo now leads the rally from Neuville, with Ogier third, 0.1sec further back. It was another great performance from Sordo, who won the last all-asphalt round in Germany and who was fastest on this morning's shakedown.

The Tesla Model S has set the internet ablaze after one of its many copies collided with a large metallic object in the middle of the road and caught fire. No one was injured, and the sole occupant had enough time to exit the vehicle safely and call the authorities, the company reported.

According to the Regional Fire Authority of Kent, Washington, the car's lithium-ion battery pack was burning when firefighters arrived. The fire never entered the cabin; however, numerous holes had to be punctured into the battery pack to extinguish the fire completely.

While Tesla stock fell from $193 to $180 amidst coverage of the fire, the build quality and safety of the Tesla Model S should not worry any owner. After all, the electric sedan did receive the highest possible rating during crash tests.

Source : greencarreports.com

Kia Motors America today announced plans to offer an all-electric, zero-emission version of the popular Soul in select U.S. markets starting in 2014.

Details about the future Kia Soul EV remain scarce. We'll know more about the car's powertrain, range/MPGe, packaging, and go-to-market strategy “at an upcoming major U.S. auto show,” most likely in Los Angeles.

“Eco-consciousness already comes standard on the all-new Soul with 85% of its materials able to be recycled at the end of its lifespan, and the Soul EV will further demonstrate Kia's engineering capabilities as well as our commitment to producing vehicles with reduced environmental footprints,”said Orth Hedrick, executive director of product planning, Kia Motors America.

“The Soul has always been a terrific choice for drivers in urban environments, and the all-new version's blend of technology, refinement, style, improved dynamics and value has allowed us to create a car that is as efficient as it is fun to drive.”

Next month at the Tokyo Auto Show, Mitsubishi will officially introduce its new eK Space concept, which is actually a “super height wagon” minicar standing 1.7 metre tall (taller than the new Outlander CUV!). Designed through a partnership with Nissan, it will go on sale across Japan in early 2014.

Available in regular and custom configurations, the Mitsubishi eK Space offers a roomy interior with lots of amenities, including a touch-operated power sliding rear door, UV-reducing glass that shuts out 99% of UV light, and touch panel-operated air conditioning.

The Mitsubishi eK Space likely won't make it overseas (the current eK Wagon and eK Custom are not available here, either). Regardless, it's interesting to see what's popping up in different parts of the globe.

Photo: Mitsubishi

From GMM

Sergio Perez, and billionaire backer Carlos Slim Domit, have admitted Mexico's place on the 2014 calendar is not guaranteed.

Indeed, the race on the former and ageing grand prix venue in Mexico City has been given only a provisional date on next year's schedule.

"I'm very excited," said 23-year-old Sergio Perez, the McLaren driver who is backed by Slim-linked Mexican companies. "It's not confirmed yet, it's just a pre-calendar but I feel there are very big chances now of this happening."

Slim Domit also told Mexico Today: "It (Mexico) is a stable country, our economy is doing quite well and we have drivers people can identify with.

"All of the pieces are coming together and I believe the potential promoters are doing a good job in trying to secure something," he added.

Photo: WRi2

Mexico is one of three races given only provisional status on the unprecedentedly-long 2014 calendar, the others being New Jersey and Korea.

But Sam Michael, McLaren sporting director, said that even if they all go ahead, F1 can cope.

"F1 is about achieving things that are not normally possible, and this is far from the worst challenge we have had," he said, suggesting the financial benefits of an expanded calendar will outweigh the hurdles.

From GMM

David Ward has admitted he might give up his bid to become FIA president.

Earlier, it was rumoured Ward's candidature to dethrone Jean Todt was a mere 'straw man' precursor to the real challenge to be made by Mohammad Bin Sulayem.

A spokesman for Bin Sulayem, the highest-ranking Middle Eastern FIA official, admitted the former rally driver has been encouraged to run but has made no decision yet.

Now, Briton Ward has been quoted by the Telegraph admitting that he could stand aside for Bin Sulayem if he has a better chance of success.

"If Mohammed thinks that my reform agenda is worthwhile and, if he is prepared to give solid undertakings and commitments to introduce it, then (standing aside) is something that I should look at," said Ward.

Mohammad Bin Sulayem, testing the Renault F1 in Dubai, in 2009. (Photo: WRi2)

Adapted from GMM

The FIA has backed Sebastian Vettel amid claims he is strolling to the 2013 title with a questionably-legal Red Bull.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko has already dismissed the claims the RB9 is mimicking illegal traction control as "nonsense".

But former F1 team owner Giancarlo Minardi had said he saw and heard evidence with his own eyes and ears recently in Singapore, when Vettel was putting down the power 50 metres earlier than his rivals, while the Renault engine emitted traction control-like tones.

However, F1 race director Charlie Whiting has told Germany's Sport Bild: "(FIA technical delegate) Jo Bauer has found no irregularities. Everything is under our control, and Vettel's car complies with the regulations."

Red Bull and the FIA having dismissed suggestions it is illegal, Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday to the Associated Press: "We are pretty proud of the system. The others have to figure out how we have done it."

Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, according to Bild newspaper, Red Bull's determination to dominate F1 can be seen in the team's new EUR 100,000 jack.

The jack is reportedly designed to automatically lower the car once it detects that all four wheels have been secured during a pitstop.

Bild said Red Bull's powerful rivals including Ferrari and Mercedes are now working on similar systems.

Sahara Force India team manager Andy Stevenson is quoted as arguing the innovation should be banned.

"If no one has it, everyone's pitstop will be half a second slower. So who cares?" he said.

Tony Kanaan was a happy man on October 1st when he took delivery of his brand new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette that he earned following his victory at this year Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan was in Indianapolis to be present for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis announcement when he got the phone call that his car was ready. The Brazilian went down to the Bill Estes Chevrolet dealership and finally got the keys.

He then took his blue 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Pace Car to the IMS to show it around.

Kanaan plans to have the car delivered to his home in Miami later during the offseason.

Tony Kanaan and his new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. (Photo: IndyCar)

From GMM

The FIA insists it has no plans to appoint a single supplier of fuel in formula one.

With the governing body hinting at the move after the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting, we reported that F1's major teams had expressed their objections.

That is because they all have separate and lucrative deals in place with major oil corporations: Ferrari with Shell, Renault with Total, Mercedes with Petronas, McLaren with Mobil.

But in the Yeongam paddock on Thursday, it emerged that the FIA had allayed the teams' fears.

"Fuel was mentioned (in the World Council statement) purely for illustrative purposes," a FIA spokesman is quoted by Reuters.

A source at the Paris based federation, meanwhile, said the mention of fuel in the statement had been a "mistake".

Photo: WRi2

Since its first shakedown in May, the development of the Hyundai i20 WRC continued and Hyundai Motorsport team just spent a week of testing on gravel at high-altitude in the South of Spain.

Bryan Bouffier and Juho Hänninen shared the steering-wheel of the i20 WRC.

"For the last couple of months we've tested every two weeks on all kinds of conditions and surfaces to continue the collection of valuable feedback and data," said Hyundai Motorsport team principal Michel Nandan.

"High altitude is one of the challenges we'll have to overcome next year in the WRC, especially in Mexico where the stages go up to 2,500 metres above sea level. The performance of the car can be affected under these conditions so the aim on this test was to study the engine behaviour and monitor the impact on the engine power. We also took the opportunity to keep on working on gravel set-up solutions and complete some good mileage with the car," explained Nandan.